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Asthma Emergency

RECOGNISE signs of an asthma flare-up or attack

An asthma flare-up is a worsening of asthma symptoms and lung function compared to what you would usually experience day to day. An asthma flare-up can come on slowly (over hours, days or even weeks) or very quickly (over minutes). A sudden or severe asthma flare-up is sometimes called an asthma attack.

If you are experiencing any of these signs, start asthma first aid. Do not wait until asthma is severe.

Mild/moderate

Minor difficulty breathing

Able to talk in full sentences

Able to walk/move around

May have cough or wheeze

Commence Asthma First Aid

Severe

Obvious difficulty breathing

Cannot speak a full sentence in one breath

Tugging in of the skin between ribs or at base of neck

May have cough or wheeze

Reliever medication not lasting as long as usual

Call Ambulance on 000
Commence Asthma First Aid

Life threatening

Gasping for breath

Unable to speak or 1-2 words per breath

Confused or exhausted

Turning blue

Collapsing

May no longer have wheeze or cough

Not responding to reliever medication

Call Ambulance on 000
Commence Asthma First Aid

In children:

Signs of worsening asthma can be difficult to recognise

Asthma can worsen quickly over short period of time

They may complain of sore tummy or chest and be more restless

DO NOT DELAY in starting asthma first aid

How to respond

If you are experiencing a severe or life-threatening asthma attack, call an ambulance - Dial Triple Zero (000) and then start asthma first aid.

If you are experiencing a mild to moderate asthma attack, start asthma first aid.

1

Sit the person upright
- Be calm and reassuring
- Do not leave them alone

3

Wait 4 minutes
- If there is no improvement, give 4 more separate puffs of blue/grey reliever as above(OR give 1 more dose of Bricanyl or Symbicort inhaler)

4

If there is still no improvement call emergency assistance. Dial Triple Zero (000)
- Say 'ambulance' and that someone is having an asthma attack
- Keep giving 4 separate puffs every 4 minutes until emergency assistance arrives(OR 1 dose of Bricanyl or Symbicort every 4 minutes - up to 3 more doses of Symbicort)

Call emergency assistance immediately. Dial Triple Zero (000)
- If the person is not breathing
- If the person's asthma suddenly becomes worse, or is not improving
- If the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever is not available
- If you are not sure if it's asthma
- If the person is known to have Anaphylaxis - follow their Anaphylaxis Action Plan, then give Asthma First Aid. Blue/grey reliever medication is unlikely to harm, even if the person does not have asthma